Top 5 Sports Stories

Happy Thursday everyone, here's my Top 5 for January 26, 2012 from Len Berman at www.ThatsSports.com.

1. Quick Hits

Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer in four sets and advances to the Australian Open final. He'll face the winner of tomorrow's match between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

The women's final is now set between #3 Victoria Azarenka and #4 Maria Sharapova.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's contract has been extended through the 2018 season.

The Indianapolis Colts have hired Baltimore defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano as their new coach.

Tiger Woods returned to golf with a 70 in the first round of the Abu Dhabi Championship. He was three shots off the early lead.

A funeral service and burial was held yesterday for Joe Paterno. A public memorial will be held today.

2. What a Guy
Remember David Einhorn, the rich Milwaukee native who was going to buy into the Mets? The deal fell apart. Now comes word that Einhorn has been fined $11.2 million by the British version of the SEC for insider trading. Remember when rich guy John Spano was going to buy the Islanders and Spano was exposed as a fraud? Sports attracts the loveliest people don't it?
3. Hall of a Debate
I see that the Jorge Posada Hall of Fame debate has started early.
*B.S. on Facebook at "Len Berman's Top 5," Jorge is a selfish me first player. Guy took himself out of a game, instead of batting 9th. That is not a team player and that is not what the HOF is about.
*S.L. He's only 2nd to Yogi in as a Yankee catcher. I would vote yes for him first ballot no questions asked!!!! And I'm a Met fan saying this!
*S.N. He was certainly the weakest of the Core Four. Solid player, but that's it. No HOF.
*And Hall of Fame aside, H.B. makes a great point. I think he did it without steroids or PED. Just talent, hard work and dedication like that other Yankee Jeter! Class acts.4. Going Deep
Since I know how much you enjoy it when I mix politics with sports (yeah right), I thought you'd enjoy these totally random pictures that have surfaced. Republican Presidential candidate Ron Paul wearing a sharp-looking 1970s Houston Astros uniform in a Congressional baseball game. You might be interested to learn that Paul is the only Congressman to have ever hit a home run over the fence in the Congressional baseball game's 50-year history. And you thought he was just another pretty face.

5. Front Row!

How many people are known for their quotes? Oh sure, there's Yogi, but what if I said "Front Row!" or "Just a little outside." Yup, Mr. Baseball himself, Bob Uecker. So happy 77th Ueck. He always gave great catching advice. "The way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until it stops rolling and then pick it up."

Happy Birthday: Bob Uecker. 77.Bonus Birthday: Ellen DeGeneres. 54.

Today in Sports: 33-year-old Pete Rozelle is elected NFL Commissioner on the 23rd ballot. 1960.Bonus Event: Speaking of famous quotes, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky." Bill Clinton. 1998.